Populaire

Date Screened: 25th November 2013

Synopsis

Spring, 1958. 21-year-old Rose Pamphyle lives with her grouchy widower father who runs the village store. Engaged to the son of the local mechanic, she seems destined for the quiet, drudgery-filled life of a housewife. But that’s not the life Rose longs for. When she travels to Lisieux in Normandy, where charismatic insurance agency boss Louis Echard is advertising for a secretary, the ensuing interview is a disaster. But Rose reveals a special gift – she can type at extraordinary speed. Unwittingly, the young woman awakens the dormant sports fan in Louis. If she wants the job she’ll have to compete in a speed typing competition. Whatever sacrifices Rose must make to reach the top, Louis declares himself her trainer. He’ll turn her into the fastest girl not only in the country, but in the world! But a love of sport doesn’t always mix well with love itself…

Reaction Index Score: 87%

Official Trailer

Reviews

This is a film that will appeal to cinema buffs who take delight in spotting evocations of other movies, an influential device inviting the audience’s complicity that became a commonplace of moviemaking and moviegoing as popularised by the French New Wave in the early 1960s. It is, however, far from being a cold, calculated picture. Lighthearted it is for the most part and slight. But it’s also thoughtful, amusing and touching … Click here for the full review

I didn’t ever feel like there was much at stake in Populaire, perhaps because there wasn’t. But it’s a sweet little film – a trifle with extra custard – and whenever Rose beams in triumph, you can’t help but beam right back … Click here for the full review

Mark Kermode

Outspoken, opinionated and never lost for words, Mark Kermode is the UK’s leading film critic.Feted as one of the finest film reviewers of his generation as well as for his impeccably-coiffured quiff, Mark Kermode presents the film review on Radio 5 live with Simon Mayo in a broadcast partnership that has lasted nearly 20 years.Click here for more reviews and information

Roinsard keeps control of a film that vacillates between frothy fun and more serious social comment and cleverly uses subplots and supporting characters (including The Artist’s Bérénice Bejo) to touch on weightier themes. Quaint, but charming … Click here for the full review and rating